The Vicomte de Bragelonne | Page 9

who watched the flying pen, and read, the wrong way
upwards, as fast as her friend wrote, here interrupted by clapping her
hands. "Capital!" cried she; "there is frankness - there is heart - there is
style! Show these Parisians, my dear, that Blois is the city for fine
language!"
"He knows very well that Blois was a Paradise to me," replied the girl.
"That is exactly what you mean to say; and you speak like an angel."
"I will finish, Montalais," and she continued as follows: "You often
think of me, you say, Monsieur Raoul: I thank you; but that does not
surprise me, when I recollect how often our hearts have beaten close to
each other."
"Oh! oh!" said Montalais. "Beware, my lamb! You are scattering your
wool, and there are wolves about."
Louise was about to reply, when the gallop of a horse resounded under

the porch of the castle.
"What is that?" said Montalais, approaching the window. "A handsome
cavalier, by my faith!"
"Oh! - Raoul!" exclaimed Louise, who had made the same movement
as her friend, and, becoming pale as death, sunk back beside her
unfinished letter.
"Now, he is a clever lover, upon my word!" cried Montalais; "he
arrives just at the proper moment."
"Come in, come in, I implore you!" murmured Louise.
"Bah! he does not know me. Let me see what he has come here for."


Chapter II
: The Messenger.
Mademoiselle de Montalais was right; the young cavalier was goodly
to look upon.
He was a young man of from twenty-four to twenty-five years of age,
tall and slender, wearing gracefully the picturesque military costume of
the period. His large boots contained a foot which Mademoiselle de
Montalais might not have disowned if she had been transformed into a
man. With one of his delicate but nervous hands he checked his horse
in the middle of the court, and with the other raised his hat, whose long
plumes shaded his at once serious and ingenuous countenance.
The guards, roused by the steps of the horse, awoke, and were on foot
in a minute. The young man waited till one of them was close to his
saddle-bow: then, stooping towards him, in a clear, distinct voice,
which was perfectly audible at the window where the two girls were
concealed, "A message for his royal highness," he said.
"Ah, ah!" cried the soldier. "Officer, a messenger!"
But this brave guard knew very well that no officer would appear,
seeing that the only one who could have appeared dwelt at the other
side of the castle, in an apartment looking into the gardens. So he
hastened to add: "The officer, monsieur, is on his rounds; but, in his
absence, M. de Saint-Remy, the _maitre d'hotel_, shall be informed."
"M. de Saint-Remy?" repeated the cavalier, slightly blushing.
"Do you know him?"

"Why, yes; but request him, if you please, that my visit be announced
to his royal highness as soon as possible."
"It appears to be pressing," said the guard, as if speaking to himself, but
really in the hope of obtaining an answer.
The messenger made an affirmative sign with his head.
"In that case," said the guard, "I will go and seek the _maitre d'hotel_
myself."
The young man, in the meantime, dismounted; and whilst the others
were making their remarks upon the fine horse the cavalier rode, the
soldier returned.
"Your pardon, young gentleman; but your name, if you please?"
"The Vicomte de Bragelonne, on the part of his highness M. le Prince
de Conde."
The soldier made a profound bow, and, as if the name of the conqueror
of Rocroi and Lens had given him wings, he stepped lightly up the
steps leading to the ante-chamber.
M. de Bragelonne had not had time to fasten his horse to the iron bars
of the perron, when M. de Saint-Remy came running, out of breath,
supporting his capacious body with one hand, whilst with the other he
cut the air as a fisherman cleaves the waves with his oar.
"Ah, Monsieur le Vicomte! You at Blois!" cried he. "Well, that is a
wonder. Good-day to you - good-day, Monsieur Raoul."
"I offer you a thousand respects, M. de Saint-Remy."
"How Madame de la Vall - I mean, how delighted Madame de
Saint-Remy will be to see you! But come in. His royal highness is at
breakfast - must he be interrupted? Is the matter serious?"
"Yes, and no, Monsieur de Saint-Remy. A moment's delay, however,
would be disagreeable to his royal highness."
"If that is the case, we will force the consigne, Monsieur le Vicomte.
Come in. Besides, Monsieur is in an excellent humor to-day. And then
you bring news, do you not?"
"Great news, Monsieur de Saint-Remy.
"And good, I presume?"
"Excellent."